Volvo World Match Play heads to London Club

Volvo World Match Play heads to London Club

Volvo, IMG and the European Tour today announced the 2014 Volvo World Match Play Championship will be played on the International Course at the London Golf Club from October 15-19.

The 2014 event will revert to a 16-man field and offer a prize fund of €2.25m, with a first prize of €650,000.

It will mark the 50th anniversary of the inaugural championship at Wentworth, where Arnold Palmer triumphed.

The elite field will be split into four groups of four, with the two leading players in each sector progressing to the knock-out rounds.

The 2014 Volvo World Match Play Championship will return to its traditional October date after being staged in May for the past few years.

Defending champion Graeme McDowell and 2013 Race to Dubai Champion Henrik Stenson have already confirmed their participation.

"I think it's fantastic that the Volvo World Match Play Championship will be played in England for this special anniversary," said McDowell.

"It seems right to celebrate the Championship's anniversary in England, where the tournament was held for so many years.

"I think the International Course at the London Golf Club will make for a fantastic venue and I'm very much looking forward to defending my title there in October."

Guy Kinnings, Global Head of Golf, IMG, added: "The World Match Play is IMG's longest-running event and it is very special to everyone at IMG.

"Working with our partners Volvo and the European Tour, we are very pleased to be able to bring the tournament back to England - its spiritual home for so much of its history - for its 50th anniversary."

The Volvo World Matchplay Championship was staged on Wentworth's West Course until 2009, moving to Finca Cortesin in Spain from 2010-2012 before heading to Bulgaria's Thracian Cliffs last year.

"We look forward to the Volvo World Match Play Championship adding a new chapter to its rich history when it's played for the first time at the London Golf Club.

"We are delighted that another venue from our European Tour destinations portfolio now features on the 2014 schedule."